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Kelirahc looked back at Lin and Earendil. "Even calm waters can be dangerous," he told them. "It is best that they do not go deeper than their knees. Just in case."

"In case of what?" Earendil asked, curious and a little anxious.

"Undertow," Leyenda replied. "If there is one, it can pull them under very quickly." She rose to her feet. "Actually, I'm going to check for a moment."

She headed over to join the children and test the water. If there was an undertow, they wouldn't be able to have swimming lessons either.

Amalirahc grinned up at his mother as she passed him and Miyuki and headed into the water. "Are we going to swim now, Mama?" he asked eagerly.

Leyenda smiled down at Miyuki. "I'm just going to test the water first, and then we'll see," she told her. "All right? Just have a bit of patience."

She waded into the water a bit further, and she was pleased when she didn't feel anything tugging at her legs. The water was a bit cool, but it was refreshing. She pursed her lips thoughtfully. It seemed all right. Just to be sure, she dove under the water and swam out until she was positive it was all right, then surfaced and started back to the shore.

Leyenda swam back towards the children, standing up when the water was shallow enough.

"Something called an undertow," she replied, putting one hand on Amalirahc's head. She looked down at her son. "Can you tell me what that is?"

"I know!" Amalirahc beamed. "It's when the waves on top go one way and the water under it goes the other way, and it pulls you under the water and you can't get out!"

"Right," Leyenda nodded proudly. "But don't look so happy about it. Getting caught in an undertow means death by drowning - for anyone other than me. That's why I'm the one who checks for it."

She looked at Miyuki. "Don't worry, there is none, so it's safe. So yes, we'll have our swimming lessons."

Kelirahc smiled at Lin and Earendil. "Excuse me," he murmured, rising to his feet. "I believe I should take over for Leyenda ... I can teach them about breathing properly. She may forget that part."

He headed over to help with the lesson, leaving Lin and Earendil alone on the blanket.

Earendil looked at Lin, then looked at the others, and then back at Lin.

"You know," he grinned, "I think I'm quite comfortable here. And I've had a few lessons, I don't think it will be too bad for me if I miss one."

He smiled warmly and brushed her bangs out of her face, gently caressing her cheek with his fingers. "Besides," he murmured. "It means Miyuki is distracted again."

Earendil chuckled and lay down next to her, propping his head up with his hand and leaning slightly over her so that he could still look at her and talk with her easily.

"I'd rather I stay as well," he grinned, teasing her. "I must say, this is turning out to be a much better day than I had even dared hope it to be."

"Yes, we should," Earendil agreed without hesitation. "As often as we are able. And other things, as well. Trips to the city, explore the other side of the island - sure, we mapped it, but that was all from the air. Really, there is a lot to do here. And once my work with Aerin is done, we will have all sorts of time to do whatever we like."

He leaned down a bit and kissed her tenderly on the forehead, then murmured softly, his lips brushing against her skin, "And I can think of no one else I would rather do any of these things with."

Earendil chuckled softly. "Only better," he replied with a warm smile. "We'll be traveling as a family. Nothing could be better than that."

As long as they were together, and they were safe, there was nothing in this world - or any other - that could be better.